City officials recently invited officials of the City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Assessor’s Office, City Planning and Development Office, City Permits and Licensing Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Cordillera Administrative Region, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the Anti-Red Tape Authority to the next regular session of the local legislative body to discuss the requirements and procedures in processing building, occupancy and business permits.
In a resolution authored by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, local legislators stated that there is a need to discuss the requirements and procedures in the processing of the various permits as there is a snowballing clamor to review the procedures in the application of the said permits.
The body claimed that there are reports that unconventional conditions such as the soil test or a building permit for an old structure are being required for first-time applications or renewal of building, occupancy, or business permits.
Republic Act (RA) 11032 otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 provided that it is a declared policy of the State to promote integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and public property as well as to establish effective practices, aimed at efficient turn around of the delivery of government services and the prevention of grant and corruption in government.
Towards the said end, the State shall maintain honesty and responsibility among its public officials and employees, and shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency in each agency with regard to the manner of transacting with the public, which shall encompass a program for the adoption of simplified requirements and procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite business and non-business related transactions in government.
Earlier, the city government adopted an online mode of applying for the issuance of building permits where requirements will be uploaded in a portal for supposed speedy issuance of said permits to the interested applicants.